ACSI surveyed 4,500 guests within three months of their U.S. hotel stays, asking each participant to rate the lodging on such things as his or her experience with reservations, check-in and the staff, as well as the quality of the room, food, in-room entertainment and other amenities. The study covered properties in five categories — luxury, upper-upscale, upscale, midscale and economy. A perfect score — earned by none of the brands covered — is 100.

For the upper-upscale lodgings, Embassy Suites (Hilton), Hyatt Regency and Marriott Hotels & Resorts tie with a score of 82. Coming in with an 81 in the same category are Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Westin, with Hyatt receiving a 79. Since the study's margin of error is plus or minus three points, it's possible to consider these upper-upscale brands as tied.

The Econo Lodge (Choice), an economy property, rates a 59, the study's lowest score. Of the other economy lodgings, the Super 8 rates 66, but the Days Inn/Suites, earns a 74.

The average hotel brand's customer satisfaction level is 77. By comparison, ACSI surveys of cable television companies and airlines reveal those industries to be in the low 60s for customer satisfaction.

The best way to use this information? "It helps you figure out what quality of service you want for the price you are willing to pay," says David VanAmburg, ACSI managing director.